Ahh, we have finally reached the end of the new 2017 additions to the Animal Tales. Next year one of my big goals is learning to pace myself and stagger my releases out over the year instead of launching everything all at once in the fall.

I find that I am spending a reasonable amount of time trying to reduce the crazy in my life,but change is hard.

That goal and myself are both works in progress, but overall I think it is time for some change.

Don't worry; the Animal Tales aren't going anywhere. They are my longest project to date, and honestly, I'd miss them too much to ever stop making them. But it is also time for me to move forward and explore new ideas and projects.

The idea of 'what's next' has been stalking me for a while. Actually, it is less a stalking and more a full-blown haunting at this point. It isn't that I lack for ideas, but you can't do everything so how do I pick?

I can spend hours in my head going round and round considering all the things I could do vs. all the things I think I want to do. There is nothing that is a safe bet, and honestly, that does make me a little uncomfortable. But I also believe that being uncomfortable for a while is a condition that accompanies growth and change so I might as well accept it :)

Anyways, that isn't something we really have to worry about today. I just wanted to throw it out there since it has been on my mind so much lately.

Today we have more Animal Tales (below)! Coincidently Carl, the chimp with a donut problem, that I chose to open this post with pretty much sum up my mindset right now.

I have a feeling some of you can relate to Carl as well.

Every year there is a Tale the seems to resonate the most with people. It may not be the slickest image or the cutest animal, but something about the message just connects. This year Carl takes that cake (or donut).

I have to say that I'm surprised. Although this Tale is very personal and timely for me, I considered it a bit of a dark horse concept. But Carl appears to have reached out to a lot of people with his struggles with overwhelm.

If only everything that was overwhelming could be represented in yummy donuts, maybe the struggle wouldn't seem so hard.

Now that all the new Animal Tales are out which one stole your heart or inspired you this year? Let me know in the comments below.

And if you missed the earlier Animal Tale release you can find them here and here.

Have a great weekend and if we don't catch up soon have a great Thanksgiving!